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2026 Best Value General Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Schools
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 best value for general in the United States. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. General graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the best values for general. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $54,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. General graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,741. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #6 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $54,507. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Wichita State University placed #7 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,262. General graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University placed #8 among the best values for general. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,162. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $55,413. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Suny At Albany earned the #10 position for value in general this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. General graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
[General](/majors/engineering/electrical-and-computer-engineering/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education at a price that pays off.
